disney world day 1 {May 26th}

It was one month ago today that our family returned home from Disney World. I can't believe it's already been that long and I haven't even started to document our vacation. I think it's time! I know that I'm the only one who will appreciate my posting millions of pics, but I want to remember it all. I just wish the pics could capture every moment and every feeling, but I don't know how they ever could. It was amazing, absolutely amazing...and exhausting too.

Mom and Dad picked us up at our house at 4 am on the morning of May 26th. We loaded up and headed to the airport. Our flight left at 6 am and we were in Orlando by 11. Not bad! This was both Coby and Cale's first time to fly and they LOVED it. We broke the kids up so there wouldn't be any fighting. Cale took the window seat next to Nina, Coby sat by Poppy (they were a row in front and across from us so I didn't get a pic which really saddens me), and Connor sat next to Darren and me. I was a nervous wreck about flying so I needed to sit next to Darren (I just knew there was a terrorist on the plane, but after a Xanax and lots of time in prayer I did just fine...not proud of the fact that I require meds to travel, just keeping it real here!).

Cale waiting to board our flight (5:15 am)

sleepy bug

Within 20 minutes of landing in Orlando we were on a bus headed to our hotel at Disney World. We didn't have to worry about getting out luggage or anything. It was delivered to our room within a few hours of landing.

Darren, Cale and Connor on the Disney bus

When we got to our hotel to check in, there was the friendliest employee (he was an older gentleman) who kept handing the boys Mickey stickers (they were on a roll and he'd undo the roll and hand them yards and yards of stickers...he wasn't stingy with them that is for sure!). He spent a lot of time talking to them (and us) about how much fun we were going to have. He was so amazing and kept the boys entertained the entire time while Poppy checked in. This just really set the tone for the trip and made the kids feel so special. I'll never forget him.

We stayed at Saratoga Springs which is huge, but the grounds were beautiful. We had the hardest time finding our unit! Above is a pic of the boys crossing the bridge as we searched for our suite.

We had a suite with a kitchen, laundry area, living room and two separate bedrooms. The pics above and below is the room in which Darren and I slept.

After we found our suite we decided to go check out Downtown Disney and grab some lunch. We ate at Earl of Sandwich (mom and dad have been there a few times and they love it). It was so good.

After lunch the boys went back to the hotel to rest for a bit. Mom and I stayed and shopped at Downtown Disney for the afternoon. It was unbelievable. They had some really neat shops, beautiful water views, music and gorgeous gardens. I enjoyed having some girl time with mom.

Mom and I went back, picked up the boys (minus Darren who spent the entire afternoon and night sleeping...what a party pooper!) and we were off to the Magic Kingdom for the evening.

Waiting in line to ride Space Mountain which was fun, fun, fun!

from one of the oldest rides, It's a Small World

Connor and Coby's favorite thing to do was pin trade

We had to stop frequently for this!

on the people mover

The People mover gave some great views of the castle. The castle was beautiful at night, but I just could not get a pic to capture it's beauty to save my life! UGH

To end day 1 we saw part of the Wishes celebration which words cannot describe. They put on the most amazing light show with the castle being the backdrop. I've never seen anything like it in my life. I have a short video from my phone which captured just a few seconds and trust me, it is just a tiny glimpse. I've never imagined that anyone could do what Disney does with lights. It was unbelievable. I just wish I hadn't been so tired that night so we could've stayed for the entire thing, but my 2:30 am wake-up call had caught up to me (and the kids) by this point and we had to get to bed!

So, there's our first day at Disney World. I can't wait to start looking through the rest of my pics. It's so fun to relive those moments!